The Palmerston Electorate

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 173, 25 July 1935, Page 6

The Palmerston Electorate

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—The entry of Mr Hansford into the political arena brings about a somewhat intriguing position ill the launciston electorate. For the past four years Palmerston North's Mayor has persistently and openly denounced the activities of the Coalition Government, particularly in its attitude towards the problem of unemployment, and in doing so he has gained the approbation of that class of elector who can be looked upon as holding political views in keeping with the policy espoused by the Labour Party. Without exception these views have coincided with those of Mr J. liodgens, the official Labour candidate at the coming general election. Further than this, the opinions of these two gentlemen have extended beyond matters political and synchronised with uufailing regularity in practically every sphere of local-body administration. For years past they have tilled the role of Echo and Narcissus, and the latest development in local politics will give electors quite a lot of food for thought. So we come to this position: Two men, both definitely and similarly opposed to the present Government, will mount the hustings and supplicate the electors of Palmerston in an effort to gain sufficient .support to send one of them to the people’s forum in Wellington. Was ever a position more piquant or paradoxical'? Mr Mansi'ord, in reply to a deputation petitioning his candidature in the interests of aiiti-Coaiitionists, made it quite clear that he would stand only as an independent. Just how far cither Mr Mansion! or his supporters expect an independent’s ideals to progress towards maturity without joining forces with a definite party combination is a matter for elucidation.

Without wishing in any way to belittle the sincerity or ability of our worthy Mayor, it is extremely unlikely that lie will succeed in writing in the Statute Book any of the reforms he is so enamoured of without the co-op-eration of that party to which Air liodgens is pledged. Looked at from whatever angle the electors choose, the issue before them at the coming election is bristling with difficulty. Assuming that the Coalition Government has antagonised, by its administration during the past four years, voters who previously supported it, to which candidate will the swing-over go —Mr Mansford or Mr Hodgensf Candidly, (lie splitting of a proNatioual vote seems to me poolstrategy in an attempt, to unseat, a representative of an allegedly unpopular Administration. Where the line of demarcation will be drawn in the attacks of Messrs Mansford and liodgens against the present Government is an education yet to come; blit it is safe to say that Air Nash will take full satisfaction from (lie knowledge that his opponents are not only out to unseat him with identical weapons, but that in the process there is a big chance of their cutting each other’s political throat.—l am. etc., UNITY.